RALEIGH, NC (WECT) - The Governor's Highway Safety Program is kicking off the "Booze It or Lose It: Operation Firecracker" campaign in order to crack down on drunk driving just in time for the Independence Day holiday.

"The July 4th holiday is a time to make memories with family and friends, but those memories can easily turn tragic if you drink and drive," said Don Nail, the newly appointed director of the Governor's Highway Safety Program. "Law enforcement agencies and DWI task forces across the state will step up patrols during this campaign to cite drunk drivers and help keep our roads safe."

According to the news release, during last year's campaign there were 1,937 DWI citations issued statewide and 361 alcohol-related crashes, which resulted in 17 fatalities.

The following is an excerpt of a news release from the North Carolina Department of Transportation:

The approach is proving successful.

Since the Town of Cary launched its DWI task force three years ago, it has seen a significant drop in alcohol-related crashes and an increase in DWI arrests. There were 121 alcohol-related crashes and 310 DWI arrests in 2010, compared to 81 alcohol-related crashes and 450 DWI arrests in 2012.

Forsyth County, which is also in its third year of operating a DWI task force, saw the number of alcohol-related fatalities drop from 13 in 2011 to nine in 2012.

Guilford County, the newest DWI task force, has made 421 DWI arrests since it began in November 2012.

The campaign will run from Friday, June 28, through the Independence Day holiday, and will end on Sunday, July 7.